Hello. I recently purchased my first IS350 and upon closer inspection, I noticed that my windshield has what appears to be hardened glue across the very top of the windshield (see image below). Not a huge deal, but if I can notice it, it bothers me. I decided to do some research but didn't find anything in regards to this particular issue. So, I happened to browse eBay to see if maybe some sort of molding was missing from the top to cover the glue and I happened to find an "Upper Windshield Molding" listed for 2006-2013 IS350/250. So I decided to order it. Upon arrival, I attempted to install it, but I don's see exactly how this would be installed when the adhesive appears to be on the opposite side. I've been researching and have not come across this topic at all. All photos I've seen of an is350 2006-2013 don't appear to have any upper windshield molding at all.

I figured I ask here before returning it. Anyone have any idea if this upper molding is even a thing for my 06 IS350? Thank you!

 

I have a bit of that adhesive separation happening on my '06 IS350 right now. As far as I know, these things didn't come with an upper windshield molding.

 

The is350s DO have an upper molding, it only sits in the crevice between the windshield and the roof though. It doesnt cover the top of the windshield at all, so putting that molding wont cover or fix the problem. From the looks of your picture, it does seem that your car doesn't have the molding (But its also a little hard to tell with the lighting/shadows in the picture). Im assuming the previous owner just decided to rip it out because it was cracking/fading. Mine is peeling off and little pieces of it always come off as I'm washing the car.

The "hardend glue" you are seeing is the windshield delaminating and not dried glue from the molding coming off. Basically the layers of glass in the windshield are separating and you're seeing the air pockets. I believe you can fix it by putting some resin in the air pocket (similar to fixing a small crack in the windshield). But I'm not sure. Try calling your local auto glass shop like Safelite and see if they can fix it. If they can't, I'm pretty sure the only solution is to replace the whole windshield.

So with that being said, if you do fix it, you might want to put the molding back, because that'll help keep debris/dirt/water from getting into the layers of the windshield and help keep them from separating again.

 

That moulding gets installed on the underside of the glass and deforms upwards into the gap between the glass and the body. It only fills that gap, it does not cover the edge of the glass in any way.

Here is what it looks like when installing the moulding (windshield must be removed):


Jeff